A youth ministry network is an often-overlooked but essential part of youth ministry. Learn 11 tips for building and growing a youth worker support system in your area.
“Build it, and they will come.” That may be a great movie tagline. But it doesn’t necessarily work for building a healthy youth ministry network in your community.
For a youth ministry network to grow, it’s not enough to just open our doors once a month. We can’t just invite a bunch of youth workers, set up chairs, and expect more excellent ministry to youth. We must give leaders a good reason to come share their lives and ministries, becoming part of a community-wide vision.
I’m confident we can strategically plan meetings that interest youth workers and have a greater impact on them and, ultimately, on students. Networking meetings must provide a safe place for youth workers to develop friendships built on trust.
You need to plan ministry networking meetings built on prayer, relationships, creative resourcing, and strategic planning. Follow these guidelines.
Youth Ministry Network: 11 Meeting Tips
Here’s how to start:
Ground Rules
- First, networking meetings must begin and end on time.
2. Location, location, location!
This is crucial. Meeting in restaurants is usually distracting. Moving from church to church also can be challenging. Finding one location and staying there for six months seems to work best.
3. Assess the atmosphere.
This is really important. Leaders must be ready when youth workers arrive! Greet them and make them feel welcomed. Do signs give direction to the location of the meeting?
4. Is the room arranged to optimize communication?
For example, round tables facilitate better discussion and prayer.
5. Is a display table set up to share resources?
6. It’s possible to provide a free meal for every meeting.
Ask someone to donate the meals, or have different churches provide funds for food. Then youth workers can go straight to the meeting, knowing that a meal will be available.
7. Finally, remember name tags. (Permanent ones you can later collect are best.)
Content
- Allow minimal time for announcements about events people are sponsoring.
This has become a sore spot for plenty of youth ministry networks. Provide a resource table, if possible.
2. Ask the group what topics they’ll find most helpful and who they suggest for speakers.
If you provide other creative program ideas, you’ll need only five to six speakers.
3. Provide creative ideas.
These include a panel discussion with youth workers’ spouses, student panels, senior pastor panels, and times of prayer and sharing.
4. Next, have some fun!
Local amusement facilities love to host youth workers. They want to show off their facilities and frequently will provide a meal.
